Lowell Forensic Society is a fancy term for a Speech and Debate club, and that's exactly what we are! With over two hundred members and thousands of successful alumni, this is the perfect place to make lifelong friends and also to get better at public speaking--something that will help you with high school, college, and beyond. You'll have some of the best high school experiences in our organization and make some unforgettable memories! We have four different branches of debate that each focus on different styles and skills so you're sure to find what works best for you. The branches are:
Parliamentary Debate (Parli for short) - Parli focuses on fast-paced partnered debates on many different topics so its members grow to be experts on responding to any situation and are familiar with all sorts of information! As the largest branch, you'll have no problem meeting new friends and the student captains make sure everyone gets all the attention and guidance they need.
Policy Debate - This branch focuses on just one topic each school year, so its members get a unique level of experience in research and learning all the different possible perspectives on what they debate about. This year's Policy topic is Criminal Justice Reform and Policing, an incredibly relevant subject in light of this year's civil rights protests.
Congressional Debate (Congress for short) - In this branch, debaters simulate the real life US Congress and speak as Senators and Representatives trying to pass or deny new legislation. If you want to learn more about the US government, this is the perfect place for you and as the only branch where you debate multiple opponents at once, you're sure to become a master of public speaking.
Individual Events - If you're not sure any of the other branches sound exactly right for you, Individual Events will definitely have a style just for you--there are 12 of them! Each style, or "event" is unique but they span from reciting dramatic monologues to sharing your own poetry. Its members are a tight-knit community and are ready to welcome you with open arms!